Running the Race

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.  - Hebrews 12:1-3

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. - 2 Timothy 4:7

I remember first learning memory verses about “fighting the good fight,” “running with perseverance,” and "finishing the race."  I thought it was cool that God used something so human to explain life to me.  But rarely when I thought of those verses did I apply them to the mundane, everyday chores that face us daily. 

Until I was cleaning out the van the other day. 

Ok, that probably wasn’t the first time.  But it had been awhile since I had thought about perseverance and the idea that it was a holy move.  I had decided to clean out the van.  My 4 year old and my 1 year old were trying to entertain themselves in the van and the garage while I emptied the vehicle and vacuumed.  This may be a quick job for some of you, but I don’t do this very often so 10 minutes quickly became 30 and before I knew it we were easily approaching an hour of this task.  Little boy was following me around, crying and holding onto my legs.  Big sister was bored and had taken to throwing pretzels at brother, which he would then eat off the dirty garage floor.  I just had a few more things to arrange or sweep up and we would be done.  It was then that the Holy Spirit spoke to me – “Persevere.. just stick with it.  You’re almost done, the kids are fine.  You can finish this task!”  I knew it was the Holy Spirit because my van was such a mess even Jesus wanted me to get it cleaned up.  

But I laughed aloud when I realized I rarely applied these verses to everyday things like cleaning out the van.  I guess I usually think of bigger things – marriage, witnessing to a friend, or building a house.  Those matters are certainly worth seeing thru.  But on a day to day basis, there are plenty of things on which I could use this same encouragement.  Honestly I’m generally just not good at following thru.  A short list of the worst things for me includes: putting the laundry away, washing the last few dishes, and enforcing a full 30 minutes of piano practice.  Interruptions, fussy children, random socks, and frustrated fingers all interrupt my good intentions.  And I give up.

But today I’m going to take God’s Word with me into the trenches.  I’m going to throw off the sin and fix my eyes on the goodness and joy that God has given me.  I’m going to FOCUS and ask the Holy Spirit to help me not grow weary or lose heart.  I’m going to quote scripture to a crying baby if I have to, to keep the faith. 

After all, these dishes aren’t going to wash themselves.  

Lord, sometimes I forget to apply your Word to the simple everyday challenges that face me.  Give me strength and focus today that I can rest in your Word and your Truth; that it would empower me; that you would move my mountains and move me to action and victory.  Lord I earnestly and honestly pray in your Son’s name, Amen.    

My Cloud of Witnesses

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

My daughter is definitely not what you would call a morning person, truth be told, neither are her parents. Getting her up at 6:00 in the morning to catch the bus for school requires the utmost patience, but also provides for some rather humorous moments. Not long ago, the sleepy girl fished a pair of jeans out of the dryer to wear to school. It wasn’t until she returned home that day that I noticed she had mistakenly worn her older brother’s jeans to school. The three sizes too big pants were dragging on the ground, completely covering her shoes as she got off the bus that afternoon. It is still a mystery to me how she kept them on at all throughout the day.

Often as a mom I feel that the job I have to do is three sizes too big for me. Whether it is not wanting to make dinner, and declaring a “fend for yourself” night, or groaning at a request to read the same book for the tenth time that day. Whether it’s fumbling for the words to explain why we don’t wear the same pair of underwear three days in a row, or why a friend has died. Some days I am convinced it is too much, and I feel as though I am more times than not, ill equipped to handle the job.

That’s where my great cloud of witnesses comes into play. Not only do my witnesses remind me that the race is not one that I run by myself, but they also remind me it’s one where five star meals, sparkling white clothes, and well behaved trips to the grocery store are not even the goal. They remind me upon whom my eyes are to be fixed as I seek guidance to answer the tough questions, and who I can turn to when there are no earthly answers.

You have a great cloud of witnesses too. It’s your mom who walked you into your first Sunday school class, your girlfriend who answers your Facebook post with a story about when their child also wore something embarrassing to school, and your sister-in-law who calls to check in even though your turn to call her first has long since passed. It’s every other mom who has ever questioned whether she is doing enough for her family and praised the Lord when her children actually survive their childhood to be respectful, productive adults who love their Savior.

For all of the moms with whom I run side by side; I thank my God every time I remember you. I love the fact that many of you will actually spend time this week planning your own Mother’s Day “surprise.” I love the stories you tell, the forgiveness you offer, and the hope that you share. I love the fact that I get to raise my children with other moms who look to Jesus as the true source of their joy. I love my cloud of witnesses.

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the great cloud of witnesses I have. Thank you for the support that they give me as I raise my children to know the salvation you have prepared for us all. Be with me every step of the way today, and help me keep my eyes fixed on your Son.

In His name I pray, Amen.

Keep on running

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.  Hebrews 12:1-3

As parents, we are always on the go.  Get the kids to school, run errands, clean house, fold laundry, put away laundry, make dinner, help with homework, put pajamas on, get everyone in bed...whew.  Aren't there some days when you feel like you're just running in place, and nothing is happening?  Like the laundry--there's ALWAYS laundry to be done, even when you're putting the last load away in the drawers.

It is so easy to get tired of our vocation as parents.  We feel like we're always running, but never going anywhere.  It would be so easy to say, "I QUIT!" and walk away from it all.  

Imagine how Jesus himself must have felt.  He was out there, proclaiming the Gospel.  At every turn, there He came upon opposition to his preaching.  At the Garden of Gethsemane, He faced the fact that he was about to die for OUR sins.  Yet He never got tired of it.  He kept preaching.  Even that night in the garden, He prayed, "Thy will be done."

God has a plan for all of us.  He knows where we're going in life.  He watches over us as we parent our children.  He is there every step of the way.  It's such a comfort, knowing that we are not alone in this race that we're running.  If we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, we'll find the way.  We'll never get lost, we'll never run out of energy to keep going.  We throw off those thoughts of quitting, and keep on going.

The prize--eternal life in Heaven--is so worth it, isn't it?

Dear Heavenly Father, I know that parenting isn't easy.  There are days that I don't think I can keep going.  Thank you for your presence.  Thank you for showing me the way when I feel like I'm lost.  Most of all, thank you for sending Your Son to give me the ultimate prize of eternal life in heaven.  In Your name I pray, Amen.